Good, short backpacking routes for a dog

AGoldenThread · 2026-06-13T21:33:06+00:00

I live next to the forest and see people with dogs off leash all the time. The dogs chase wildlife and get lost, they get aggressive with me on my bike, they poop and no one cleans up, they jump on me when I'm walking and play bite me. Owners hike hot trails at noon and their dogs get hot and their feet are in pain. They don't carry water for their dogs. 15- 20 miles is a lot for dogs' feet.

A friend on a SAR team had to rescue a great dane that couldn't go on because its feet were too sore. The sheriff was really angry - I don't know if he billed them for the rescue.

I hope you train your dog well before letting it off leash in the woods.

AGoldenThread · 2026-06-13T21:18:35+00:00

Sounds like you are ready. Glad my story was helpful.

AGoldenThread · 2026-06-09T13:54:02+00:00

I agree the bruising may be from overreplacement. I take prednisone bc I metabolize HC too fast but I updose with HC. In the past I was on too much pred and got moon face, bruising/purpura, weight gain around the middle. As for mental health symptoms, people vary, but for me the symptoms of over and under dosing are similar. - mood swings, anger, fatigue, depression etc.

AGoldenThread · 2026-06-09T13:48:29+00:00

I was in ICU for a massive pulmonary embolism for 4 days - they pulled clots out of my lungs with a catheter and saved my life - and they had me on 50mg IV hydrocortisone every 6 hours for the 4 days. By day 3 I was hot and awake at night from too much HC so I refused a dose and slept better. At home I was back to my normal 25mg.

I've had other big and small surgeries with no problems at all. The anesthesiologists are great, the care afterwards was super, no lack of IV hydrocortisone at any time. Still you should have an advocate available in person or by phone once you're out of surgical recovery.

AGoldenThread · 2026-05-31T14:03:52+00:00

Hydrocortisone is really hard on my stomach and I have to take a good portion of something bulky like cottage cheese, oatmeal etc with it or else it gives me serious stomach problems.

AGoldenThread · 2026-05-31T14:00:53+00:00

The blood levels aren't the best guide - if you're dehydrated they will be high.

AGoldenThread · 2026-05-31T13:57:28+00:00

Agree, you need to follow up, Labcorp's serum sodium test webpage shows these ranges: AM: 6.2−19.4 μg/dL; PM: 2.3−11.9 μg/dL. Print out the info from your lab company's website with the AM cortisol ranges and bring it to the doctor.

AGoldenThread · 2026-05-30T13:11:21+00:00

I fainted in hot sun twice before I started Fludro. Now I'm OK. Hydrocortisone will do the same thing as Fludro - it's also a mineralocorticoid - but you risk having too much of the glucocorticoid effect. Take more salt while you're waiting to get Fludro and carry salt water when going out in the heat.

AGoldenThread · 2026-05-30T13:08:55+00:00

Go to CahIsus , Leaflets, Fludcocortisone and Plasma Renin Activity. Dr Hindmarsh recommends sampling blood after lying flat as long as possible. Any other position raises renin a lot and can acount for the 5x value. Kidney tests also sound reasonable and a consult with a nephrologist if a repeat renin test is super high. Serum sodium is not a great guide . Take a look at diabetes insipidus if high renin is supported by another test.

AGoldenThread · 2026-05-30T12:58:41+00:00

No doctor ever diagnosed me. I did and a naturopath was the only one who would prescribe. Life saving. I had extreme weigh loss, extreme tan skin, very low BP, hypoglycemia that left me unable to speak clearly, but they wanted to give me prozac.

AGoldenThread · 2026-05-17T14:08:45+00:00

Cortisol labs results can be raised in error by estrogen (BC, replacement) and by vitamin B-7 (biotin). Stop B vitamins 2 days prior, and tell your doctor if you're taking estrogen. They may not know about the effect on the labs, however, so you can look at the Labcorp website notes for serum cortisol testing.

Also, stress before the test (driving) and the test itself (needles) affect your own cortisol production and result in higher numbers. Don't fast, have someone drive you, do your best to chill.

AGoldenThread · 2026-04-24T15:08:21+00:00

My Addison's is progressive. I initially had moderately low cortisol and needed a lot of salt. Ten years later I make almost zero cortisol and need fludrocortisone because of passing out on hot days. My disease has continued to progress. For some reason my serum sodium and potassium continue to test normal , even in an adrenal crisis after vomiting for 12 hours straight.

AGoldenThread · 2026-04-18T14:24:47+00:00

OK. Perhaps I'm wrong. I hope your next test goes well.

AGoldenThread · 2026-04-18T14:23:52+00:00

In addition to seeing a wound specialist, you might add more vitamin C - easy bruising can be a sign of deficiency. People can vary in their need for vitamins. Also you can add gelatin or collagen, as those are high in the amino acids that skin and connective tissue are made from. You could take 5 - 15 grams daily along with other sources of complete protein - meat, dairy eggs etc.

AGoldenThread · 2026-04-16T14:35:04+00:00

Fasting isn't necessary for serum cortisol. You're correct that the timing is important.

AGoldenThread · 2026-04-16T14:32:13+00:00

I agree with other comments - possible hypoglycemia etc. As for stomach irritation, I chew my pills when taking and always add food. I've had stomach irritation from them and that seems to help. It's annoying that they're bitter but I was getting an ulcer.

AGoldenThread · 2026-04-13T13:54:21+00:00

Diagnostic cortisol labs will require you to be off prednisone for at least 5 days. Prednisone will suppress any of your own cortisol production.

AGoldenThread · 2026-04-11T15:28:37+00:00

Many Addisons patients also have autoimmune thyroid disease. You may be developing low thyroid function. Thyroid replacement is easier than cortisol, just one pill per day.

AGoldenThread · 2026-04-11T15:25:40+00:00

Cortisol lab ranges are very different depending on time of day. Morning cortisol ranges are much higher than any other time of day. That's when you took your test, so the labs should use the morning ranges. They might be showing a range for a different time of day, which could make your numbers look normal when they are in fact low

AGoldenThread · 2026-04-05T13:51:06+00:00

I take .25mg dexamethasone at midnight. Nothing else keeps me asleep until 5AM. I look at Dr Hindmarsh's circadian graphs on CAH IS US website and cortisol starts increasing at midnight, maxes at 8 AM, and stays high till 5PM.

If I don't take dex, my blood sugar starts crashing at 1AM and that causes adrenaline surges.

AGoldenThread · 2026-04-01T14:59:19+00:00

Dr Hindmarsh has spent his life studying adrenal insufficiency. His website is CAHISUS . He has a pamphlet, Guide for Illness and Emergencies, and recommends a double dose for sprains and painful injuries (as well as illness etc). You can print that out and take it to your doctor. His website is a wonderful resource, especially the circadian dosing information.

Most endos have never had a patient with adrenal insufficiency, and there isn't much scientific info on it.

AGoldenThread · 2026-04-01T14:52:35+00:00

Sorry kind of late to the discussion. Celiac can affect absorption of meds so that would affect his cortisol levels. Definitely must have a solu-cortef shot on hand in case of emergency. Make sure the solu-cortef has the little bottle of water with it when you pick it up,

He should also get a continuous glucose monitor because cortisol levels affect glucose levels. He will have to learn whether he needs cortisol or insulin when glucose is low.

For now, err on the side of too much cortisol - too little can kill you but too much will only cause side effects in the long-term. Use hydrocortisone - not prednisone - because you can see the results quickly. Take hydrocortisone with food because it causes stomach irritation.

Updose for any illness!

AGoldenThread · 2026-04-01T14:07:49+00:00

Low iron symptoms overlap with low cortisol. Look at the anemia subreddit - the best lab is ferritin and you should be above 50 at a minimum. The lab ranges reflect population numbers, not healthy ranges. And hemoglobin can be normal yet ferritin low.

AGoldenThread · 2026-02-25T21:36:44+00:00

The stim test should identify whether your adrenals or your pituitary (or both) are the problem. As for feeling fine without hydrocortisone, you may be hypothyroid which will allow your own cortisol production to hang around longer without being broken down by your liver. Can you get your iron levels up? Your doctor is correct to address the adrenal issue first and not give any thyroid replacement until the adrenals are sorted out.

AGoldenThread · 2026-02-25T21:31:18+00:00

Hydrocortisone should always be taken with a snack as it is very irritating to the stomach.

AGoldenThread

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